Pepe believes that Buffon's return from injury is important for Juventus.Juventus winger Simone Pepe has welcomed the return of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from injury and believes that his compatriot's comeback is only going to increase their motivation.

The Italy international played his first match in over six months in Juve's 2-0 win over Catania in the Coppa Italia on Thursday evening and Pepe believes it's important to have their first-choice goalkeeper back in action.

“For us his return is very important seeing that we are talking about the best goalkeeper in the world," Pepe told Sky Italia.

“To have players like Buffon and [Alessandro] Del Piero in the squad is an added motivation for everyone, because you know that from one moment to the next they can leave their mark on a game.”

The victory over Catania was the Bianconeri's first of the new year and came after back-to-back defeats in Serie A to Parma and Napoli. Pepe now claims that this should put an end to talks of crisis at the Old Lady.

“We needed the victory against Catania," said the 27-year-old. "Getting it was fundamental for morale after two consecutive defeats.

“We had put together 18 positive results in a row and everyone praised us, then, after these two games everything was put back in discussion again.